Message from Cycling Ireland President

At this stage now it's one open letter away from getting it's own netflix series.

Emma Hunt-Duffy was co-opted onto the board only last month yet is being told by the President to resign with immediate effect - she hardly had enough time to get her feet under the table. And the President will stay on for another 10 months and makes a big deal of rotating off the board at the AGM which is mandatory anyway. I've no knowledge beyond reading the press releases but the President doesn't come off well from what I'm reading.

https://www.cyclingireland.ie/news-item/emma-hunt-duffy-appointed-to-cycling-ireland-board/

A lot of people, including myself, will be questioning their cycling ireland membership once it comes time to renew I think. The only reason I renew is for my club which I love being a part of, but at this stage myself and a good few others on our weekend spin are strongly considering just moving to a Triathlon club even though I can't run or swim.

I agree the Leisure license is a bit high for what it is, but the overall cost of being in a cycling club is tiny compared to many other sports. Joining a club is one of the best things I've done since I started cycling; I don't see how anyone would quit their club over some political shenanigans in the governing body that's likely to be sorted over the next few months anyway.

The additional cost of the CI Leisure license would be bearable if only CI actually showed any interest in leisure cycling. Most sportives are organised by dedicated clubs and volunteers with very little CI assistance and as a result sportives are dying a slow death. Very few big sportives around now compared to 8-10 years ago. If CI stepped in and saved events like the Sean Kelly Tour in Waterford or took the reins of organising a few big sportives themselves during the year then you could at least say they were doing something for leisure cycling and it would be bearable to pay the extra membership. It would take a lot of the burden off clubs who are doing their best to prop up leisure cycling in Ireland.

My club runs a couple of open races - I think the "support" racing gets from CI is vastly overstated in the minds of leisure cyclists tbh. Clubs do the brunt of the leg work, and bare the costs.

CI+Club is still less than my non-playing membership of the local GAA club - for which I get the sum total of a vote at the AGM, and the chance to win tickets, and a load of fundraisers to support for the year.

As a non-playing member? I still have to pay in to games, including some U14 where I'm dad cabs!

Insurance is quite a big thing, and having the backing (in theory rather than practice) helps races and sportives get organised with the Gardai. I can only speak for my own club, that the Leisure side is more active and gets just as much support as the racing side. The club also supports youths, who pay a nominal club membership

Only you can decide whether it's worth the money. Personally, I think you've unrealistic expectations. I doubt you'd find too much praise for Governing bodies in any sport. Bulk of any organising is left to the "grass roots" rather than being top down, in every sport. Run by volunteers, who aren't perfect, but ultimately are doing their best (with no great line of people wanting to volunteer to do their job, despite thinking they'd do better).

I know a few people who've left clubs, and organise as essentially an unaffiliated club. I was wondering how messy that could get if there was an incident on a spin (which in the road condition thread there was a number the last few weeks).

Lots of interesting side-topics and views here - the 'value for money' question and that old 'somebody think of the leisure cyclists!' chestnut - but more importantly, is the new president gonna make cycling great again or not? From canvassing the odd opinion, he might have some good intentions but the methods being employed don't sound very presidential and I generally don't have much trust in people who choose to deal with sensitive and tricky issues via email and social media. All the more so when its volunteers and amateurism at work. Any date for that EGM being mooted? This side of Easter I suppose?

All, just to point out. If you are a member of CI, you are entitled to turn up to EGM and AGM's and you get a vote. I've found in the past with clubs, very few actually turn up to the AGM but if even a small number of like minded turn up and vote, some very surprising people get elected to posts rather than the very vocal politicians who crave power and tend to be autocratic and single minded.....

Just saying... if anyone thinks they can be a great CI board member and can demonstrate passion for cycling... I'll promise to turn up at the AGM and listen to them ;)

Correct. We don't have 'Direct Democracy Ireland' in place within cycling. Voting rights are strictly monitored.

At the recent CI AGM, the current President was elected unopposed; if there is a better candidate out there at the moment they should show their hand. If not, we carry on. You always get who you vote for in these matters.

I would suggest in most clubs you'd have no problem getting to be the delegate, whatever about the numbers each club can send! I don't think it would be hard to get on a club committee, and then be nominated as a delegate.